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SEA OF SHADOWS 245
Ingraham acknowledged.
Captain Bowie said, “Tell Firewalker to clear to the east until we get
our VLAs off. Then prep us a couple of ASROCs, and let’s take this show
to town.”
“TAO, aye.”
“USWE, aye.”
“Keep an eye out,” the captain said. “There are two more subs out
there.”
As if in answer to his words, the speaker rumbled again. “SAU
Commander, this is Firewalker Two-Six. New contact! Buoys nine and
ten are hot. I hold narrowband tonals consistent with Type 212 diesel
submarine. Initial classification: POSS-SUB, confidence level high!
Looks like another one is trying to run the barrier, sir.”
The TAO answered immediately. “Firewalker Two-Six, this is SAU
Commander. Your new contact designated Gremlin Zero Three, over.”
The chief keyed the net. “TAO—USWE. Recommend we target both
Gremlins with ASROC, and assign Benfold to target both subs as a
backup.”
The TAO looked at the captain. “Sounds like a good call to me, sir.”
The captain nodded.
“USWE—TAO. Good call. Target both Gremlins with VLAs and
inform me as soon as you have a firing solution.”
“USWE, aye.”
Chief McPherson scanned the unfolding tactical picture on the CDRT.
Towers, Benfold, Ingraham, and Firewalker Two-Six were shown in blue.
The contacts designated Gremlins Zero Two and Zero Three appeared as
red V-shaped hostile-submarine symbols. To the northwest, behind the
formation, was the symbol for the motorboat that might or might not have
launched the acoustic decoy. It was shown in white, for neutral. The boat
appeared to be loitering harmlessly, but they couldn’t count on that. The
chief clicked on the motorboat symbol and upgraded its status from neutral
to potentially hostile. Its color changed to a lighter shade of red than the
submarines. That done, she spoke into her mike. “UB—USWE. I need
the status of your firing solutions on contacts Gremlin Zero Two and
Gremlin Zero Three.”
“USWE—UB. Just a second, Chief. My processors are updating
now.” There was a brief pause, and then, “USWE—UB. I hold an
excellent firing solution on Gremlin Zero Two. I am just starting to get
tracking data on the second submarine.”